Page 80 of Resilient Love

“The pleasure was all mine,” she says, her lips turning up in a wide smile. “Truly, that was an unbelievable match. I have a feeling I’ll be telling my grandchildren about you someday.”

A blush creeps up my cheeks. “Well, I certainly hope so.”

“Me too. Listen, I’ll let you get showered, but here’s my card,” she says, passing the small rectangular paper to me as if it’s nothing. As if this isn’t the day I’ve been waiting for my entire life. “I got your information from your coach, so you’ll be hearing from me soon, but tryouts for the twenty twenty-eight Olympic team are starting soon, and I’d like you to be there.”

“I’d like that very much. Ah, sorry, I mean, thank you so much for the opportunity.”Come on, Elise, stop being so awkward.

“Hey, again, it was great chatting with you, and we’ll talk soon,” she says, giving me a little wave before she turns back toward the exit.

It isn’t until I’m in the locker room that I allow myself to get lost in this overwhelming high.

My teammates are all completely silent as I enter, their eyes locked on me, waiting for something,anything.

“THEY WANT ME!” I shout, and chaos ensues. The locker room erupts in cheers and shouts, and once again, I’m beingtackled to the ground, but this time, it’s by their love and support.

I’m practically floating through the motions of showering and changing before we leave for the last time. It’s so surreal.

“Alright, hotshot. What would you like to do tonight to celebrate our last big win together?” Chelsea asks, and I expected those words to hurt, to act as a reminder that while I’ve gotten almost everything I’ve ever wanted this year, I won’t be playing the sport I love with the people I love.

But before I can take myself to that place, Letty speaks up.

“Look at the four of us,” she says, slinging an arm over mine and Chelsea’s shoulder. “We’re all getting everything we want out of life. I’m starting my internship, Chelsea has her culinary school plans lined up, and Adhira got accepted at her top-choice physician assistant program. And we can’t forget about our fearless leader who’ll be playing in the premier leagues soon and is getting appointed for the Olympic team, where she’ll allow the past three years of her education to wither away.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that last bit,” I joke, nudging her in the side with my elbow.

We’re all getting everything we want for our careers, and there’s almost nothing better.

“What do you say we celebrate by watching some perky rugby ass and getting sloshed at the pub after?”

“Perky rugby ass?” I ask, my brow raised in question.

“Yeah, Coach’s team came out to watch us; I figured we could repay the favour,” Letty suggests.

“Well, alright then, it’s settled. Rugby thighs, on three!” Chelsea yells, putting her hand in the centre of our group with her palm toward the ground. We all roll our eyes but reluctantly join in.

“One, two, three,” she says as we shout, “rugby thighs!”

Laughter fills the space as we make our exit, heading home to change just in time to make it to the Wyvern’s match.

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

FRIDAY, MAY 30

I’m crushedbetween Letty and Chelsea because Adhira yelled at them about minding her personal space, which means that I no longer have any.

Chelsea shoves her plate of chips in my face, silently telling me to help her eat them. I take a few, popping one into my mouth as she starts with her usual bullshit.

“Do you think they wear those tiny shorts to distract each other?” she asks as the players get into their positions on the pitch.

“Something tells me they aren’t nearly as distracted by them as we are,” Letty answers.

“This represents the first match between the Embershire Wyvern and Wales Wolverines since the Wyvern won their second World Cup. It’s certainly going to be an exciting day for rugby fans around the world.”

The Wyvern’s fly-half starts off the game, sending the ball sailing high in the sky and straight through the Embershire’s ruck to the players’ awaiting arms.

“Jelani Hazzel takes the ball, oh, and is immediately tackled inside the quarter.”

Players from both teams pile on top of him, but as each player focuses their eyes on whoever’s in front of them, the Wyvern’s rookie blindside-flanker wiggles his way out between their legs and takes off.

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